Secure electronic communication devices

ABSTRACT

Secure electronic communication devices can, for example, include a baseplate, a base coupled to the baseplate, a housing disposed at least partially within a volume defined by the base, where the housing includes at least a portion of a cavity to house an electronic communication device, and a housing coupling member that rotatably couples the housing to the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/178,587 filed on Apr. 15, 2015, the entire contents of which isherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as phones, computers, and/or tablets, amongother electronic devices, can enable electronic communication betweenindividuals. For example, inmates housed in penal institutions can useelectronic communications to communicate with visitors. For instance, anelectronic device can permit a visitor to interact with an inmate housedin penal institution while the visitor is at the penal institutionand/or while the visitor is remotely located from the penal institution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a secure electronic communicationdevice according to the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a section view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device according to the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device according to the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device according to the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a profile view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device according to the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of an example of faceplate suitable with asecure electronic communication device according to the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a secure electronic communicationdevice including an example of a handset and an example of a cableaccording to the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an enlarged view of a portion of thesecure electronic communication device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an enlarged view of a portion of thesecure electronic communication device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of forminga secure electronic communication device according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Communications between inmates and visitors are widely used by a varietyof incarceration facilities. Incarceration facilities refer to alocation housing inmates. Examples of incarceration facilities includeprisons and/or jails, among other types of incarceration facilities. Aninmate refers to an incarcerated person, for instance, those in anincarceration facility. An incarceration facility such as a prison mayallow electronic communication between an inmate of the prison and avisitor. A used herein, a visitor refers to a family member, significantother, friend, and/or legal representative of an inmate, among othervisitors that may communicate electronically with an inmate.

Electronic communication devices such as phones, computers, and/ortablets, among other electronic communication devices, can enableinmates housed in incarceration facilities to communicate electronicallywith visitors. Examples of electronic communications include electronicvoice communications (i.e., an audio call), electronic videocommunications (i.e., a video call), and/or electronic text basedcommunications (e.g., texting, etc.) with visitors, among otherelectronic communications.

An electronic communication device can permit a visitor to communicatewith an inmate housed in an incarceration facility while the visitor isat the incarceration facility and/or while the visitor is remotelylocated from the incarceration facility. However, electroniccommunication devices may include externally accessible cavities such aport and/or an opening in an external housing of the electroniccommunication device. Such externally accessible cavities may allow forundesired storage of materials such as contraband and/or providepotential avenues by which an inmate may damage the electroniccommunication device.

Some electronic communication devices may include a handset (e.g., atelephone handset) and/or a cable that couples the handset to theelectronic communication device to permit communications via thehandset. However, such handset and/or cable configurations may be usedin an undesirable manner by an inmate or other individual. For example,a handset and/or a cable may be used by an inmate to damage theelectronic communication device and/or cause physically injury to theinmate or other individual.

Accordingly, examples of the disclosure are directed to secureelectronic communication devices. Secure electronic communicationdevices can, for example, include a baseplate, a base coupled to thebaseplate, a housing disposed at least partially within a volume definedby the base, where the housing includes at least a portion of a cavityto securely house an electronic communication device, and a housingcoupling member that couples the housing to the base. In variousexamples, secure electronic communication device can include a housingcoupling member that rotatably couples the housing to the base.

Advantageously, secure electronic communication devices can securelyhouse an electronic communication device while permitting electroniccommunications (e.g., between an inmate and a visitor). As used herein,securely housing refers to permitting physical access to an electroniccommunication device sufficient to use the electronic communicationdevice for electronic communications (e.g., electronic communication viaan application of the electronic communication), while blocking physicalaccess to at least a portion of the electronic communication device. Forinstance, an inmate or other individual can be permitted to access tosome (e.g., permitting access via an opening in a faceplate) but not allof an area of a graphical user interface (GUI) of an electroniccommunication device disposed in a secure electronic communicationdevice. Similarly, an inmate or other individual can be permittedphysical access to a button disposed on an external housing of anelectronic communication device (e.g., a home button) but not permittedaccess to other portions of an external housing of the electroniccommunication device due to a base, a housing, and/or a faceplatephysically obstructing access to areas of the electronic communicationdevice disposed in the secure electronic communication device. Moreover,secure electronic communications devices utilizing a handset, integralhandset receiver, and/or cable, as described herein, can mitigate and/orprevent potential damage to an electronic communication device disposedin the secure electronic communication device and/or physically injuryto an inmate or other individual.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a secure electronic communicationdevice 100 according to the disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thesecure electronic communication device 100 can include a base 104,housing 106, a faceplate 130 and a home key access 109, among othercomponents including those described herein. Notably, a secureelectronic communication device can be formed without an electroniccommunication device. Stated differently, in at least some examples, asecure electronic communication device can be configured to receive anelectronic communication but do not include an electronic communicationdevice.

The base 104 and the housing 106 can together form at least a portion ofan external housing of the secure electronic communication device 100.The base refers to a fixed structure that can provide support for thehousing 106 of the secure electronic communication device 100. Asdescribed herein, the base 104 can include a tensioner to impart forceon and thereby support the housing 106. The base 104 and the housing 106are designed with tolerances (e.g., a few microns or less) there betweenthat mitigate and/or prevent an inmate or other individual from hidingcontraband or other materials within an internal volume of the secureelectronic communication device 100 formed by the base 104 and thehousing 106 while desirably permitting movement of the housing 106relative to the base 104. In various examples, when the base 104 iscoupled to the housing 106 and the secure electronic communicationdevice 100 is affixed to a surface, as described herein. Notably, whenaffixed to a surface the baseplate 102 is not visible and/or able to bephysically contacted by an inmate or other individual due to the base104 encompassing the baseplate 102.

The base 104 includes an integral handset receiver 136 to receive ahandset. In this manner, a handset such as a telephone handset can besupported by the integral handset receiver 136. For example, a handsetcan be stored in the integral handset receiver 136 when not in use by aninmate or other individual.

Notably, in contrast to some handset receivers that include protruding,electrical, and/or movable components (e.g., metal prongs, electricalswitches such as a “telephone hook” switch that may indicate when atelephone is “hung-up”, etc.) the integral handset receiver 136 of thebase 104 does not include protruding, electrical, and/or movablecomponents. Rather, the integral handset receiver 136 is integral withand formed of a material of the base 104. For example, the integralhandset receiver 136 can be formed at least in part of a fixeddepression in a material of the base 104 that extends below a height ofa surrounding exterior surface of the base 104. For instance, theintegral handset receiver 136 can be formed of a depression shaped andsized to correspond to a particular type of handset (e.g., a telephonehandset) so as to receive the handset at least partially within theintegral handset receiver 136. For example, a depression can be sized tofit the handset partially within the depression so none of the handsetprotrudes out of the depression when the handset is placed in thedepression. Desirably, the integral handset receiver 136, in contrast tothose including protruding, electrical, and/or movable components,mitigates and/or eliminates a possibility of an inmate or otherindividual from injuring themselves or others on the integral handsetreceiver 136 and does not allow for storage of contraband or othermaterials in the integral handset receiver 136 and/or the secureelectronic communication device 100.

For example, the integral handset receiver 136 formed of the depressionin a material of the base 104 does not include a protruding componentand has a comparatively low handset holding strength (as compared tohandset receivers including a protruding, electrical, and/or movingcomponent). As used herein, a handset holding strength refers to anamount of force that can be applied to a handset disposed in a handsetreceiver (e.g., the integral handset receiver) to remove the handsetentirely from the handset receiver. For example, a handset holdingstrength of the integral handset receiver can be less than one pound,less than two pounds, less than three pounds and/or less than fourpounds of force applied to the handset, among other possible values. Insuch an examples, an amount of force applied to the handset that isgreater than a handset holding strength will result in the handset beingdisplaced from the handset receiver.

Desirably, absence of a protruding component and the comparatively lowhandset holding strength can eliminate potential for a cable coupled toa handset to be wrapped around a protruding component (e.g., a telephonehook) and provide a comparatively more planar surface of the secureinmate communication device in contrast other devices with a protrudingcomponent to mitigate and/or prevent injury to an inmate or otherindividual on the protruding component itself and/or due to a handsetand/or a cable being wrapped around the protruding component. Forexample, the absence of a protruding component and the comparatively lowhandset holding strength can prohibit an inmate or other individual fromwrapping a cable of a handset around a body part while the handset is inthe receiver and using the configuration to impart an amount of force onthe body part sufficient to injury or kill (e.g., through strangulationby the configuration) the inmate or the other individual.

As shown in FIG. 1, the external housing of the secure electroniccommunication device 100 has a profile with rounded edges and corners.Additionally, it is noted that the external housing of the secureelectronic communication device does not include any protrudingcomponents. As such, the external housing of the secure electroniccommunication device 100, in contrast to those with a protrudingcomponent (i.e., protruding above and/or away from the external housing)and/or without rounded edges and/or corners, can mitigate and/or preventinjuries to an inmate or other individual on the secure electroniccommunication device 100.

The base 104 can be coupled to a baseplate (not shown in FIG. 1 for easeof illustration). For instance, the base 104 can be coupled to thebaseplate via a baseplate coupling member 115. Baseplate coupling member115 can be formed of a screw (e.g., a hexhead screw) or other suitablemechanical fastener to couple base 104 to the baseplate. As illustratedin FIG. 1, the baseplate coupling member 115 can be formed of fourbaseplate coupling members 115-1, 115-2, 115-3, . . . , 115-M. At leastsome of the baseplate coupling members 115-1, . . . , 115-M are recessedwithin an exterior surface of the base 104. For instance, baseplatecoupling members 115-1 and 115-2 can be recessed relative to adepression in a material of the base 104 forming the integral handsetreceiver 136 so as to not protrude into a volume of the integral handsetreceiver 136.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each baseplate coupling member of thebaseplate coupling members 115-1, . . . , 115-M, can be separate anddistinct (e.g., formed of or including individual bolts, etc.). However,any suitable number and/or type of baseplate coupling members can beused to promote secure electronic communications devices such as thosethat can withstand attempts by inmates or other individuals to removethe secure electronic communication device 100 from a structure (e.g., awall) the secure electronic communication device 100 is coupled to. Insome examples, each baseplate coupling member of the baseplate couplingmembers is formed of an identical size and/or type of fastener such asan identically sized hexhead screw to permit secure and efficientdecoupling of the base from baseplate.

The base 104 and/or the housing 106 can be formed in part or as a wholeof a material that is at least semi-transparent and/or impact resistantto promote secure electronic communication devices, as described herein.For instance, in various examples, both the base 104 and the housing 106are formed entirely of a material that is at least semi-transparent tovisible light. In this manner, an individual (e.g., a guard or otherofficial) in an environment external to the secure electroniccommunications device 100 can look through the material of the base 104and/or the housing 106 to view internal components of the secureelectronic communication device 100 that would not be visible with anopaque material to ensure that the secure electronic communicationdevice 100 is does not include contraband and/or other undesiredmaterials disposed therein. Desirably, in such examples the internalcomponents are readily viewable without any disassembly of constituentcomponents (e.g., the base and/or housing, etc.) of the secureelectronic communication device 100.

Examples of suitable materials that are at least semi-transparent and/orimpact resistant include various polymers such as a polyester, aco-polyester, a polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polyurethane, apolypropylene, a polyethylene, a polypropylene and polyethylenecopolymer, an acrylic, a cyclic block copolymer, a polyetheretherketone,a polyamide, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polybutylene terephthalate,a polyetherimide, a polyethersulfone, a polytrimethylene terephthalate,nylon polymers, or a combination thereof, among other materials whichcan be used to make the base 104 and/or the housing 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates a section view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device 200 according to the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the secure electronic communication device 200 includes abaseplate 202, a pivot 203, a base 204, a housing coupling member 205, ahousing 206, a cavity 212, baseplate coupling members 215-1, . . . ,215-M, receiving members 245-1, . . . , 245-R, and tensioners 220-1, . .. , 220-T.

The baseplate 202 can be formed of a material such as steel and/or aplastic material, among other materials depending upon a desiredapplication of the secure electronic communication device, etc. In someexamples, the baseplate 202 can be formed of a metal material such assteel and/or a plastic material such as a polycarbonate.

In some examples, the baseplate 202 can include a slot for attachment ofa cable to the baseplate 202. A cable can, for example, refer to a metalcable such as a steel cable suitable to promote electroniccommunications via a handset coupled to the cable. For example, thecable can be coupled to a handset to promote voice, video, and/or textcommunications such as those described herein, along with other possibleforms of communications. In some examples, the cable can be eighteeninches or less in total length to mitigate or eliminate an ability of aninmate or other individual to wrap the cable around a body part of theinmate or other individual.

The secure electronic communication device 100 can include a faceplate130. As described herein, the faceplate 130 can permit assess to a GUIof the electronic communication device (not shown) when the electroniccommunication device is disposed securely within the secure electroniccommunication device 100. In some examples, the faceplate 130 caninclude a home key access 109 that can permit access to a home key of anelectronic device.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the baseplate 202 can include the pivot 203.In various examples, the pivot 203 is integral with and formed of amaterial that forms the baseplate 202. However, the disclosure is not solimited. Rather, pivot 203 can be a separate and distinct component thatis coupled to the baseplate 202 using any suitable manner such as via amechanical fastener, adhesive, etc.

The pivot 203 can promote rotatable coupling the base 204 to the housing206. For example, pivot 203 can provide a fixed pivot point and/orsemi-fixed pivot point about which rotation and/or translation canoccur. For example, the pivot point 203 can be a fixed pivot pointformed of a material that forms the baseplate 202. In such an example,the pivot point 203 and the baseplate can each be formed of steel orpolycarbonate, among other possible materials.

In various examples, the housing coupling member 205 can be in contactwith the pivot 203 to rotatably couple the housing 206 to the base 204.The housing coupling member 203 can be in contact with the pivot with anintervening component (such as a bearing, lubricant, or other component)or without an intervening component disposed between the pivot 203 andthe housing coupling member 205. The housing coupling member 205 canextend through an opening, as describe herein, in the housing 206 torotatably couple the housing 206 to the base 204.

The housing coupling member can comprise a pin extending through anopening in the housing 206 into a receiver included in the base 204 torotatably couple the housing 206 to the base 204. The pin can be formedby a pivot screw, among other possibilities. For examples, the housing206 can, in various examples, by coupled to the base 204 by two pivotscrews and two bushings (one bushing for each pivot screw), among otherpossibilities. While the housing 206 can be rotatably coupled to thebase 204, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather depending upon adesired application, in some examples, base 204 can be non-rotatablycoupled to the housing 206 in a variety of suitable manners.

The housing coupling member 205 can be formed of a material that thebase 204 and/or the housing 206 are formed of; however, in some examplesthe housing coupling member can be formed of a different material than amaterial that the base 204 and/or the housing 206 are formed of. Forinstance, in various examples, each of the base 204 and the housing 206can be formed of a polycarbonate, while the housing coupling member canbe formed of a metal such as steel, among other possibilities.

As mentioned, the housing 206 includes as least a portion of a cavity212 to securely house an electronic communication device (e.g.,electronic communication device 110 as described with respect to FIG.1). The cavity 212 can be secured via mechanical fasteners to hold anelectronic communication device disposed in the cavity, as describedherein.

The housing 206 can be movable relative to the base 204 due at least inpart to being rotatably coupled to the base 204. For example, thehousing 206 can move down and/or down, relatively to the base 204.Moving the orientation of the housing 206 relative to the base 204 candesirably permit alteration of a viewing angle of a GUI of an electroniccommunication device disposed at least partially within the cavity 212of the housing 206. For instance, the housing 206 can be moved up and/ordown relative to the base 204 to accommodate use of the secureelectronic communication device 200 by inmates or other individuals ofvarying heights, positions (e.g., standing or sitting positions), and/orlocations relative to the secure electronic communication device 200.

In some examples, an interface between the baseplate 202, the base 204,and/or the housing 206 can be reinforced with an additional material(e.g., a metal reinforcement) and/or be formed of a material that iscomparatively thicker than the material that forms other portions of thebaseplate 202, the base 204, and/or the housing 206. Such reinforcementcan provide enhanced durability and/or ability to withstand physicalattacks on the secure electronic communication device 200. Further, thehousing 206 can be reinforced in a manner suitable to provide suchreinforcement along with grooves such as those described herein withrespect to FIG. 4.

The baseplate coupling members 215-1, . . . , 215-M can act as guides topromote coupling of the baseplate and the base and/or promote couplingof the baseplate to a surface such as a wall. The baseplate couplingmembers 215-1, . . . , 215-M can be coupled to the receiving members245-1, . . . , 245-R to couple the base 204 to the baseplate 202. Forexample, each baseplate coupling member of the baseplate couplingmembers 215-1, . . . , 215-M can include or be formed of a mechanicalfastener such as a screw, bolt, etc. that can be inserted into acorresponding receiving member of the receiving members 245-1, . . . ,245-R to couple the base 204 to the baseplate 202.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and described herein, housing 206 can bedisposed at least partially within a volume defined by base 204. Invarious examples, the housing 206 includes at least a portion of acavity 212 to securely house an electronic communication device (notshown in FIG. 2 for ease of illustration).

The tensioners 220-1, . . . , 220-T can be positioned in variouslocations to place the housing 206 and/or the base 204 in tension. Inthis manner, a speed of rotation (e.g., rotation of the housing whenbeing tilted vertically up or down) of the housing 206 as a result of aforce applied to the housing 206 is reduced as compared to a speed ofrotation of a housing that does not employ tensioners. For example, thetensioners 220-1, . . . 220-T can be positioned with a volume of thehousing 206 and/or the base 204 to impart a force disposing the housing206 against the base 204, as described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device 300 according to the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the secure electronic communication device 300 can include abaseplate 302, a pivot 303, a base 304, a housing coupling member 305, ahousing 306, a cavity 312, baseplate coupling members 315-1, . . .315-M, and tensioners 320-1, . . . , 320-T.

As mentioned, the housing 306 can be rotatably coupled to the base 304.For example, the housing 306 can be rotatable along an axis of rotation344 relative to the baseplate 302 and/or the base 304. For instance, thehousing can be moved relative to the baseplate 302 and the base 304 asillustrated in FIG. 3 along an axis of rotation 344. Put another way,the housing 306 can be moved up and/or down to accommodate use of thesecure electronic communication device 300 by individuals of varyingheights, among other possibilities.

The housing 306 can be moved along the axis of rotation 344 prior to,during, and/or following an electronic communication. In some examples,the axis of rotation 344 can permit rotation of the housing by up tothirty degrees of rotation. For example, relative to a starting position(e.g., zero degrees of rotation) the housing can be rotated up fifteendegrees or down fifteen degrees to form 30 degrees of permitted rotationalong the axis of rotation, among other possibilities. For instance, insome examples, the axis of rotation 344 can permit rotation of thehousing by up to twenty-five degrees, where the housing can be rotatedup ten degrees and/or down fifteen degrees. However, the disclosure isnot so limited. Rather, any suitable non-zero amount of amount ofrotation can be permitted along the axis of rotation 344 to promoteaspects of secure electronic communication devices. The axis of rotation344, as illustrated, can extend from a rotation of the housing 306 suchthat the housing 306 and/or a first travel stop contacts the baseplate302 to rotation of the housing 306 such that the housing 306 and/or asecond travel stop contacts the baseplate 302.

In some examples, the secure electronic communication device can includea housing travel stop 342 to limit a degree of rotation of the housingalong the axis of rotation 344. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3the housing 306 can include a plurality of travels stops 342-1, . . . ,342-S. The travels stops can be positioned on the housing to contact thebaseplate 302 at a maximum degree of rotation along the axis of rotation344 such that rotation up or down by a maximum degree of rotationresults in a corresponding travel stop impacting the baseplate 302.While travel stops 342-1, . . . , 342-S are positioned along a ‘top’ ofthe housing 306, the housing can include travel stops (not shown forease of illustration in FIG. 3) positioned along a ‘bottom’ of thehousing. Travel stops 342-1, . . . , 342-S can be formed of a materialof the housing 306 and/or can be formed of another material such asrubber, various plastics, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device 400 according to the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the secure electronic communication device can include a base404, a housing 406, a faceplate 430, a gasket 432, an electroniccommunication device 410, and a baseplate 402.

The base 404 can include an integral handset receiver 436. The base caninclude an opening 438. The opening 430 can be sized to permit thehousing to be disposed in the base and permit electronic communicationsvia the electronic communication device 410 disposed within a cavityformed at least in part by the housing 406 when disposed in the base404. In various examples, the opening 430 can permit a cable to passthrough the opening 430 to the baseplate 402, as described herein.

The base 404 can include a plurality grooves 446-1, . . . , 446-Gforming predetermined set points of rotation positioned along an axis ofrotation of the housing 406. That is, an interface between the housing406 and a groove of the plurality of grooves can result in comparativelyincreased friction to disposition the housing 406 within a groove of theplurality of grooves. In this manner, the housing can be readilyadjustable to a variety of possible viewing positions corresponding toeach groove of the plurality of grooves 446-1, . . . , 446-G rather thansimply allowing for unhindered rotation of the housing along the axis ofrotation.

Put another way, in some examples, a portion of the housing 406 and/oranother component such as a spring plunger 443-P can contact arespective groove of the plurality of grooves 446-1, . . . , 446-G whenthe portion of the housing is disposed adjacent to the respective groovesuch that the housing 406 is temporarily fixed (until further rotationof the housing to a different groove the housing) in a viewing positioncorresponding the respective groove. A user such as an inmate or otherindividual using the secure electronic communication device 400 can varyviewing angle of the electronic communication device 410 by imparting aforce on the housing 406 sufficient to cause rotation of the housingalong an axis of rotation of the housing 406. The portion of the housingthat is in contact with the respective groove may be an edge of thehousing such as edge 441 and/or a projection such as a spring plunger443-P on the housing 406.

For instance, the edge 441 of the housing 406 can contact a firstrespective groove of the plurality of grooves 446-1 and a secondrespective groove of the plurality of grooves 446-G to temporarily fix(until further rotation of the housing) the housing 406 in a viewingposition. In some examples, a spring plunger 443-P can be included inthe housing and contact a first respective groove of the plurality ofgrooves 446-1 and another spring plunger can contact a second respectivegroove of the plurality of grooves 446-G to temporarily fix the housing406 in a viewing position. While FIG. 4 illustrates a particular numberand location of the plurality of grooves 446-1, . . . , 446-G, a totalnumber of and/or a location of the grooves can be varied. In variousexamples, the base 404 can include a plurality of grooves at fourdistinct locations within the base 404 to interact with four distinctprojections such as four distinct spring plungers included in thehousing. So, while FIG. 4 illustrates two distinct sets of a pluralityof grooves, the base can include two additional sets of a plurality ofgrooves on an internal surface of the base 404 opposite from the groovesillustrated at in FIG. 4.

The base 404 can include a receiver 426. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thereceiver can include an opening 427 to rotatably couple the housing 406to the base 404. For example, a housing coupling members can include apin (not shown) that can extend through an opening 407 in the housing406 into an opening in a corresponding receiver (not shown) such thatthe pin is disposed against the corresponding receiver, a surface of theopening 407, and/or a surface of the pivot 403 to rotatably couple thehousing 406 to the base 404.

The faceplate can include an opening 431 and mounting points 433-1, . .. 433-O. The opening 431 can permit access (e.g., by an inmate or otherindividual) to a portion of a GUI of the electronic communication device410. That is, the opening 438 in the base 404 and the opening 431 in thefaceplate 430 can permit assess to a GUI of the electronic communicationdevice 410 when disposed securely within the secure electroniccommunication device 400. In this manner, the electronic communicationdevice can be used for various electronic communications while beingsecurely housed in the secure electronic communications device 400.

A faceplate coupling member along with the mounting points 433-1, . . ., 433-O can couple the faceplate 430 to the housing 406. The housing caninclude corresponding mounting points 435-1, . . . , 435-P thatcorrespond to the mounting points 433-, . . . 433-O and promote couplingof the faceplate 430 to the housing 406. For example, mechanicalfasteners (not shown) such as screws, bolts, etc. can pass through themounting points 433-1, . . . 433-O and the corresponding mounting points435-1, . . . , 435-P to couple the faceplate 430 to the housing 406,among other possibilities. The housing can include travels stops 442-1,. . . , 442-S, as described herein.

The gasket 432 can be positioned entirely around a periphery of theopening 431 to seal a portion of the electronic communication device 410from an environment external to the secure electronic communicationdevice 400. The gasket 432 can be formed of rubber, plastic, and/orvarious other suitable materials to seal a portion of the electroniccommunication device from liquids and/or other materials.

The baseplate 402 can include a pivot 403. The baseplate can include caninclude a slot 439 for attachment of a cable to the baseplate 402, asdescribed herein. As mentioned, the base can include receiving members445-1, . . . , 445-R to facilitate coupling of the base 404 to thebaseplate 402.

In various examples, baseplate 402 can be coupled to a wall (e.g., toprovide a fixed location of the secure electronic communication device400), a portable stand (e.g., to provide a movable location of thesecure electronic communication device 400), and/or another structure.For instance, the baseplate 402 can be coupled to a wall via mechanicalcoupling members such as screws and/or bolts, etc. that pass throughopenings 447-1, 447-2, 447-3, . . . , 447-N to the wall, among otherpossibilities.

FIG. 5 illustrates a profile view of an example of a secure electroniccommunication device 500 according to the disclosure. The profile viewof the secure electronic communication device 500 is taken from a viewof the secure electronic communication device opposite the view of thesecure electronic communication device of FIG. 1. The secure electroniccommunication device of FIG. 5 does not include an electroniccommunication device. A baseplate of the secure electronic communicationdevice is not illustrated in FIG. 5 such that other elements are readilyviewable.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the secure electronic communication device 500can include a pivot 503 such as pivots 503-1, . . . , 503-T and atensioner such as tensioners 520-1, . . . , 520-T. In various examples,the tensioner can impart tension along an interface 523 between a base504 and a housing 506 of the secure electronic communication device 500.In this manner, the base 504 and the housing 506 can be dispositionedtogether due at least in part to a force imparted by the tensioner. Forexample, the tensioners 520-1, . . . , 520-T can impart force at fourlocations along the interface 523 between the base 504 and the housing506. While illustrated as including two tensioners and two pivots atparticular locations, a total number of and/or a location of thetensioner and/or the pivots can be varied. In some examples, the secureelectronic communication device can be formed without a tensioner and/orwithout a pivot.

An amount of force imparted by a tensioner of the tensioners 520-1, . .. , 520-T can be varied and/or a type of tensioner can be varieddepending upon an application. For instance, in some examples, atensioner can be adjustable to vary an amount of the force disposing thehousing 506 against the base 504. For example, a tensioner can be formedof and/or include a threaded rod and nut combination where the positionof the nut along the threaded rod can be varied to adjust (increase ordecrease) an amount of force disposing the housing 506 against the base504, among other possible types of tensioners and/or mechanisms to varya force imparted by a tensioner.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of an example of a faceplate 630 suitable witha secure electronic communication device according to the disclosure. Asillustrated, the faceplate can be formed of a continuous material withan opening 631 included in the faceplate 630. The faceplate 630 can beformed of a various material such as a plastic and/or a metal, amongother possible materials. In various examples, the faceplate 630 can beformed of polycarbonate. For instance, the faceplate 630 can be formedentirely of polycarbonate. The faceplate 630 can be formed of a materialsuch as polycarbonate that is at least semi-transparent. However, insome examples, the faceplate can be formed of an opaque material thatvisually obscures a portion of a GUI of an electronic communicationdevice.

In various examples, the faceplate 630 can permit access to a home keyof an electronic communication device. For example, the faceplate caninclude a home key access 609 formed of an opening permitting directaccess to a home key of the electronic communication device disposedbehind the faceplate 630 or can include a material that is movable(e.g., a movable membrane formed of rubber, plastic, and/or othersuitable material) to indirectly contact a home key of the electroniccommunication device. For example, such membrane can deform or otherwisemove in response to physically contact by an individual so theindividual can indirectly interact with a home key and realizefunctionality of the electronic communication device associated with thehome key.

The faceplate 630 can be positioned between an environment external tothe secure electronic communication device and a GUI of an electroniccommunication device to obstruct access to a portion of the GUI. Thefaceplate 630 can be interchangeable. For instance, various faceplateshaving openings of different respective sizes can be utilized in thesecure electronic communication device depending upon a desiredapplication of the secure electronic communication device. For example,in a high-security application a faceplate with a relatively smallopening can be utilized in the secure electronic communication device topermit access to a comparatively small area of the GUI of the electroniccommunication device, while in a low security application a faceplatewith a relatively large opening can be utilized in the secure electroniccommunication device to permit access to a comparatively large area of aGUI of the electronic communication device.

In some examples such as high security applications a diameter of theopening 631 is comparatively less than a dimension of a handset (e.g.,less than a smallest dimension of a three-dimensional handset) coupledto the secure electronic communication device. In this manner, thehandset cannot pass through the opening and/or into a GUI behind theopening 631 so as to protect the GUI from impact by the handset. In anycase, an inmate of other individual can access a portion of the GUI ofan electronic communication device to realize functionality of theelectronic communication device associated with the portion of the GUI.For instance, a user can interact with the GUI with an application ofthe electronic communication device that promotes electroniccommunications, among other possibilities.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a secure electronic communicationdevice 700 including an example of a handset 735 and an example of acable 737 according to the disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 7, thehandset 735 is coupled to the cable 737. In some examples, the handsetcan be directly coupled to the cable 737. As detailed herein withrespect to FIG. 9, the cable 737 is coupled to the secure electroniccommunication device 700 via an opening 770 in the base 704. The cable737, as mentioned can be a metal cable such as a steel cable suitable topromote electronic communications via the handset 735 coupled to thecable. The handset 735, as mentioned can be a telephone handset as isillustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an enlarged view of a portion of theexample of the secure electronic communication device of FIG. 7. Asillustrated in FIG. 8, the secure electronic communication deviceincludes a handset 835 coupled to a cable. As illustrated, the handset835 is removable from the integral handset receiver 836. For example, aninmate or other individual using the secure electronic communicationdevice 800 can remove the handset 835 from the integral handset receiver836 to promote the handset to receive and/or transmit audio during anelectronic communication and can place the handset 835 into the integralhandset receiver 836 upon conclusion of the electronic communication.

Notably, an in-progress electronic communication such as a video callcan, in some examples, be continued in response to placing the handset835 into the integral handset receiver 836. That is, in contrast toother handset receivers, placing the handset 835 into the integralhandset receiver 836 does not inherently end an on-going electroniccommunication. Rather, further communication (e.g., video and/or voice)communication may be facilitated by the secure electronic communicationdevice via audio and/or video receiving capabilities of an electroniccommunication device such as a tablet disposed in the secure electroniccommunication device 800. For example, a communication can continueuntil an ‘end’ button or similar element displayed in a GUI of theelectronic communication device is selected.

As mentioned, in contrast to some handset receivers that includeprotruding, electrical, and/or movable components (e.g., metal prongsand/or electrical switches such as a “telephone hook” switch that mayindicate when a telephone is “hung-up”, etc.) the integral handsetreceiver 836 does not include protruding, electrical, and/or movablemembers. As mentioned, the integral handset receiver 836 is formed atleast in part of a fixed depression in a material of the base thatextends into the base 804 (i.e., the depression extending below a heightof a surrounding exterior surface of the base 804 adjacent to thedepression). As mentioned, the depression can be sized such that atleast a portion of a handset can reside within the depression (i.e.,below a height of a surrounding exterior surface of the base 804adjacent to the depression).

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an enlarged view of a portion of theexample of the secure electronic communication device of FIG. 7. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, an end of the cable 937 can be attached to a slot939. For example, the end of the cable 937 can terminate in a handsethaving a circumference sufficient to friction fit with and/or not passthrough the slot 939 when inserted into the slot 939. That is, whileFIG. 9 illustrates the cable 937 outside of the slot 939 (i.e., notinserted into the slot 939) the cable 937 can be inserted into andremain coupled to the slot 939. In various examples a grommet or othersuitable mechanism of the cable 937 can be inserted into the slot 939 tocouple the cable 937 to the baseplate.

Notably, due at least in part to the slot 939 for attachment of thecable 937 to the baseplate, the cable 937 can provide a reverse pullingstrength sufficient to oppose at least 7561 newtons (at least 1700pounds of force) of pulling force by an inmate or other individual(e.g., without the cable 937 detaching from the baseplate and withoutthe baseplate detaching from a structure it is coupled to). As such, thesecure electronic communication device including the cable and headsetcan withstand various activities and/or attacks by inmates or otherindividuals while continuing to function as intended (e.g., to permitelectronic communications using the electronic communication device).That is, cable 937 includes an electrical conduit and/or a wire withinan outer housing (e.g., steel sheath) of the cable 937 to promoteelectronic communication, for instance, by communicatively coupling ahandset of the secure electronic communication device 900 to otherelectrical components of the secure electronic communication device 900and/or an electronic device disposed in the secure electroniccommunication device 900.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method 1090 offorming a secure electronic communication device according to thedisclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 10 at 1092, the method 1090 caninclude positioning a housing adjacent to a baseplate. As used herein,being adjacent can refer an element (e.g., a housing) being in physicalcontact with another element (e.g., baseplate) and/or being arranged ina manner to promote other aspects of the method 490 (e.g., coupling thebase to the housing). As used herein, positioning can includemanufacture of and/or otherwise procuring a component (e.g., procuring ahousing) and/or providing a component to a particular location and/ororientation relative another component to promote aspects of the method490. As mentioned, the housing includes a cavity to house an electroniccommunication device.

In various examples, the method 1090 can include positioning the housingat least partially within a volume of a base, as illustrated at 1094.The housing can extend partially outside a volume of the base (e.g.,housing extending partially outside a volume of a base as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3).

As illustrated at 1096, the method 1090 can include coupling the base tothe housing via a housing coupling member. As mentioned, the housingcoupling member can be in contact with a pivot of a base to rotatablycouple the housing to the base. For examples, a housing can, in variousexamples, by coupled to a base by two pivot screws and two bushings (onebushing for each pivot screw), among other possibilities.

The method 1090 can include coupling the base to the baseplate via abaseplate coupling member to form the secure electronic communicationdevice, as illustrated at 1098. In some examples, the method 1090 caninclude disposing an electronic communication device within the cavity.The electronic communication device can be disposed within the cavity tohouse the electronic communication device with the secure electroniccommunication device. In this manner, the secure electroniccommunication device can securely house an electronic communicationdevice while permitting electronic communications though use of theelectronic communication device disposed in the cavity. For instance,physical access can be permitted via an opening in a faceplate, asdescribed herein, to a portion of a GUI of the electronic communicationdevice deposed in the cavity, but not permitting access to anotherportion of the electronic communication device. For example, an inmateor other individual may be unable to access portions of the electroniccommunication device other than those (e.g., a portion of the GUI and/orthe home key access) permitted by an opening in a faceplate.

In some examples, the method 1090 can include rotating the housing tovary a viewing angle of an electronic communication device relative to aposition of an inmate or other individual using the secure electroniccommunication device. For example, the housing can move down and/or uprelatively to the base. As mentioned, moving the orientation of thehousing relative to the base can desirably permit alteration of aviewing angle of a GUI of an electronic communication device disposed atleast partially within the cavity of the housing.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the firstdigit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and theremaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing.Similar elements or components between different figures may beidentified by the use of similar digits. For example, 106 may referenceelement “06” in FIG. 1, and a similar element may be referenced as 306in FIG. 3.

In the detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration how examples of the disclosure can be practiced.These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those ofordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure,and it is to be understood that other examples can be utilized and thatprocess, electrical, and/or structural changes can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various examples hereincan be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number ofadditional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion andthe relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intendedto illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken ina limiting sense. As used herein, “a number of” an element and/orfeature can refer to a number of such elements and/or features. Inaddition, “for example” and similar phrasing is intended to mean, “byway of example and not by way of limitation”. It is understood that whenan element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to”, “coupled to”,or “coupled with” another element, it can be directly on, connected to,or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may bepresent.

The specification examples provide a description of the applications anduse of the system and method of the disclosure. Since many examples canbe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system andmethod of the disclosure, this specification sets forth some of the manypossible example configurations and implementations.

What is claimed:
 1. A secure electronic communication device,comprising: a baseplate; a base coupled to the baseplate; a housingdisposed at least partially within a volume defined by the base, whereinthe housing includes at least a portion of a cavity to house anelectronic communication device; a housing coupling member thatrotatably couples the housing to the base; and an integral handsetreceiver formed of a depression in a material of the base to receive ahandset.
 2. The device of claim 1, including a tensioner to impart aforce disposing the housing against the base, and wherein the tensioneris adjustable to vary an amount of the force disposing the housingagainst the base.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein a handset holdingstrength of the integral handset receiver is less than four pounds offorce.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the integral handset receiverdoes not include an electrical component.
 5. The device of claim 3,wherein the handset is coupled by a cable to the baseplate to transfer aforce on the handset to the baseplate.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinthe housing is rotatable along an axis of rotation relative to the base,and wherein the housing includes a travel stop to limit a degree ofrotation of the housing along the axis of rotation.
 7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein the base includes a plurality grooves formingpredetermined set points of rotation positioned along the axis ofrotation, and wherein a portion of a spring plunger included in thehousing is to contact a respective groove of the plurality of grooveswhen the spring plunger is disposed adjacent to the respective groove.8. The device of claim 1, including a faceplate, and further includingan electronic communication device disposed in the cavity, wherein aportion of a graphical user interface of the electronic communicationdevice disposed in the cavity is accessible via an opening in thefaceplate.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the base and the housingare formed of a material that is at least semi-transparent to permit atleast partial visibility into the secure electronic communicationdevice.
 10. A secure electronic communication system, comprising: asecure electronic communication device including: a baseplate includinga pivot; a base coupled to the baseplate; a housing at least partiallydisposed within the base, wherein the housing includes a cavity; and ahousing coupling member in contact with the pivot and extending throughan opening in the housing into a receiver in the base to rotatablycouple the housing to the base; and an electronic communication devicedisposed within the cavity of the housing.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the housing is to rotate at least 30 degrees along an axis ofrotation relative to the baseplate.
 12. The system of claim 10, whereinthe base and the housing together form at least a portion of an externalhousing of the secure electronic communication device to securely housethe electronic communication device disposed within the cavity of thehousing, and wherein the external housing of the secure electroniccommunication device has rounded edges and corners formed by the baseand the housing.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the electroniccommunication device is a tablet, and wherein an opening in the basepermits access to a home button of the tablet.
 14. The device of claim10, wherein the faceplate includes an opening sized to permit access tosome but not all of a graphical user interface.
 15. The device of claim14, wherein a diameter of the opening is comparatively less than adimension of a handset coupled to the secure electronic communicationdevice.
 16. The device of claim 15, including a gasket positionedentirely around a periphery of the opening to seal a portion of theelectronic communication device from an environment external to thesecure electronic communication device.
 17. The device of claim 10,wherein the housing coupling member comprises a pin, and wherein the pinextends through an opening in the housing into an opening of a receiverincluded in the base to rotatably couple the housing to the base.
 18. Amethod of forming a secure electronic communication device, comprising:positioning a housing adjacent to a baseplate, wherein the housingincludes a cavity to house an electronic communication device;positioning the housing at least partially within a volume of a baseincluding an integral handset receiver formed of a depression in amaterial of the base to receive a handset; coupling the base to thehousing via a housing coupling member; and coupling the base to thebaseplate via a baseplate coupling member to form the secure electroniccommunication device.
 19. The method of claim 18, comprising disposingan electronic communication device within the cavity.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, comprising rotating the housing to vary a viewing angle of theelectronic communication device relative to a position of a user of thesecure electronic communication device.